Kroger Health will offer drive-thru vaccinations noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 in the Chevrolet parking lot at Dickies Arena, 3464 Trail Drive.
Kroger Health, the health care division of The Kroger Co., announced a partnership with the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County as part of a comprehensive flu shot program designed to provide recommended vaccines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that during an average flu season, 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu, with an average of 500,000 flu-related hospitalizations.
To make an appointment
If you do not speak English well, call the Tarrant County Public Health Information Line at 817-248-6299.
Si no habla inglés, por favor llame al Tarrant County Public Health línea de información a 817 248-6299.
Nếu quý vị không rành Tiếng Anh, xin vui lòng gọi đường dây thông tin Tarrant County Public Health (Y Tế Cộng Đồng Quan Tarrant) theo số 817 248-6299.
Walk-ups are welcome on Friday and Saturday.
Event details:
Flu shots will be provided at no cost, with or without insurance. Children must be six months or older.
Flu shots are available at no out-of-pocket cost to those with Medicare B and are also fully covered by many insurance plans. Bring identification and an insurance card.
For the safety of patients and the health care team, vaccinations are limited to one arm per vehicle door. Wear short sleeves.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is looking for physicians located in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley who specialize in Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology for a new project on HIV resistance testing in Texas. Project Conectate utilizes molecular HIV surveillance in collecting, reporting and analysis of HIV genetic sequences generated through HIV drug resistance testing to monitor clusters of HIV infections, improve access to testing and engagement in HIV medical care or Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services.
DSHS is looking to speak with physicians about tools and solutions that can support HIV drug resistance testing for their practice. If interested or for answers to any questions, please reach out to DSHS Public Health Director Uche Odunze at Uche.Odunze@dshs.texas.gov before October 31st to schedule a short phone call.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, October 8, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Tuesday, October 6, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Monday, October 5, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
The federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Department will begin accepting applications Monday for a new round of emergency funding for physicians and practices affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new funds – $20 billion – are the third phase of distribution from the Provider Relief Fund, which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Physicians and practices that already received, rejected, or accepted Provider Relief Fund payments will be eligible to apply for additional money, HHS said.
In addition, physicians who began practicing in between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2020, will be eligible, as well as an expanded group of behavioral health specialists, the agency said.
The window to apply for funds is Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Nov. 6. HHS encourages physicians to apply as quickly as possible to “expedite [its] review process and payment calculations.”
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, October 1, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
It has long been our fear to have community spread of an illness that potentially overwhelms our healthcare system capacity and results in the illness and/or death of tens or even hundreds of thousands of people. Many years ago, the TCMS Alliance and Foundation joined other concerned organizations, both public and private, to form the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County (ICTC) to help promote and provide immunizations in our community. In this year of COVID-19, we know that our fears were well founded and what the world looks like with a virus and no vaccine. Our community is opening from the quarantine that was needed to control the initial spread of COVID-19. Schools are opening and thousands of children need required vaccines to move from virtual to in person classes. Many of our local children missed scheduled vaccines when the pandemic hit North Texas.
Every August, the ICTC has hosted immunization clinics which Tarrant County Public Health provides the vaccines for at five different community health fairs and back to school events over four weeks. This model in five locations over a shorter time is not possible in this time of COVID-19. Fortunately, ICTC was able to react to the new circumstances hosting the Be Wise—ImmunizeTM Low Cost Back to School Vaccine Event July 20 through September 11, 2020 at Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. The site provides plenty of social distancing space for families and students receiving the needed vaccines. Immunizations are low cost for families who are uninsured or are covered by CHIP or Medicaid.
In 2005, TCMS Alliance brought Be Wise—ImmunizeTM to Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County. ICTC is a volunteer driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to the systematic eradication of vaccine preventable diseases in Tarrant County. ICTC projects directly improve the health and well-being of children, teens and adults through low cost vaccine events, community education on the importance of childhood and adult immunizations, and advocacy for better vaccine systems and policy since 1991. Over 40 agencies are members of ICTC.
TMA Foundation and TCMS Alliance support for ICTC programs is ongoing. The Be Wise—Immunize logo, leadership, funding, and volunteers from across Tarrant County keep ICTC going strong. ICTC Vaccine events 2019 provided 9412 clients with 24,057 doses of vaccine. To learn more or to be an ICTC volunteer visit http://www.icthome.org or http://www.tcmsalliance.org.
byVeer Vithalani, MD, MAEMSA System Medical Director
Note from the editor: Dr. Vithalani is an active member of the TCMS Board of Advisors. As he officially moves into the role of our local EMS Medical Director, TCMS wanted to provide him the opportunity to speak directly with members about his background and goals for our EMS System.
“After successfully completing an EM residency, I plan to undertake an EMS fellowship and hope to one day serve as a Medical Director for an ambulance company while working in an academic emergency department.”
These words concluded my personal statement as I applied to residency programs in 2010. One of the reasons I was so excited when I matched into the inaugural class at the JPS Health Network in Fort Worth was the opportunity to develop the program’s experience with a world-renowned EMS system, MedStar.
From early in my residency, I began learning the basics of EMS medical direction under the mentorship of Dr. Jeff Beeson. He would stress the importance of working collaboratively with the local medical community and would take me with him to the monthly board meetings of the Tarrant County Medical Society (TCMS). The TCMS played a fundamental role in the creation of the EMS system in Fort Worth, and through its designated positions on the Emergency Physicians Advisory Board, has been influential in shaping the structure of the EMS system through numerous challenges. Drs. Gary Floyd and Steve Martin have served since the early days of the Emergency Physicians Advisory Board (EPAB) and have been a tremendous source of counsel and guidance for my predecessors and me.
I was able to join the Office of the Medical Director (OMD), first as an EMS Fellow, then Associate Medical Director, and finally Interim Medical Director. Throughout this time, I’ve witnessed incredible growth in this system. This progress is evident in every aspect: tighter integration between EMS and first responders; increased standardization of credentialing and quality assurance; closer working relationships between the OMD and agency leaders; and increased resource sharing, such as unified dispatch centers, dispatch integration, and shared capital. All of these actions keep us centered on patient-focused goals. Patients call 911 in their time of need, and the system is there for them, regardless of race, gender, or creed.
I am honored to accept the position of Medical Director for the Metropolitan Area EMS Authority (MAEMSA) system. My goal moving forward is simple; we will continue to guide our commitment to clinical excellence throughout this system. Accomplishing this mission takes continued passion and dedication from all involved—from front-line field providers, dispatchers, support services, educators, administrators, Chiefs, City leaders, OMD, and beyond. My philosophy is that this is our practice of medicine, and we are all in it together. We will help our patients together, make mistakes together, learn together, and grow together.
Moreover, in the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, my goal remains the same. The OMD is responsible for the daily management of the Tarrant Medical Operations Center, functioning as the coordinating body for mitigation of medical and healthcare effects of disasters. With active participation from all key stakeholders, from hospital leaders to local physicians, public health officials to emergency managers, and elected officials to public safety, everyone is doing their part to mount a coordinated and consistent response for the safety and well-being of our community.
I would not have reached this position without my mentors and predecessors, Drs. Jeff Beeson, Steven Q. Davis, and Neal Richmond; leaders from JPS and IES, Drs. Robinson, Zenarosa, and Kirk, who brought me to Fort Worth and trained me in Emergency Medicine, and my wife and kids, to whom I owe all of my life’s successes; to all, a heartfelt thanks.
I do not take lightly the trust and responsibility placed in me by the MAEMSA Board, First Responder Advisory Board, and EPAB. I hope to live up to the high expectations we have all set. This system has long been a shining star in the world of EMS; I look forward to playing my part to continue that into the years to come.
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., announced a partnership with the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County as part of a comprehensive flu shot program designed to provide recommended vaccines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kroger Health will offer drive-thru vaccinations noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 in the Chevrolet Parking lot at Dickies Arena, 3464 Trail Drive.
“In light of the challenges we may face from both the flu virus and COVID-19 this fall, Kroger Health is proud to partner with the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County to host a two-day event, offering flu shots by our certified immunizers, in the safety of the individual’s vehicle,” said Jeff Loesch, Dallas division health and wellness director for Kroger Health. “In particular, we wanted to provide an efficient way for our seniors to receive the recommended high-dose formulation of the flu shot while minimizing the risk of potential exposure in the general public.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that during an average flu season, 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu, with an average of 500,000 flu-related hospitalizations. Since March, more than 370,000 Americans have already been hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, marking the potential for a significant burden on the already taxed healthcare system.
“This year it is more important than ever to get a flu shot,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “As we continue to combat COVID-19, we must do everything we can to avoid a flu outbreak, and getting a flu shot is a simple way to help protect your health and the health of our communities.”
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley agreed: “With all of the attention on COVID-19, we cannot let our guard down on the upcoming flu season. It is very important that everyone get a flu shot as soon as possible. We do not want our hospitals overwhelmed by COVID or the flu this winter.”
Kroger Health’s recent COVID-19 drive-thru test sites were able to assist thousands of people in getting tested in a short amount of time. By using that model to provide flu shots, Kroger Health will have the capacity to administer up to 1,200 vaccinations during the two-day event.
If you need assistance making an appointment, call Tarrant County Public Health at 817-248-6299.
Flu shots will be provided to insured and uninsured patients. Children must be six months or older.
Flu shots are available at no out-of-pocket cost to those with Medicare B and are also fully covered by many insurance plans. Bring identification and an insurance card.
For the safety of patients and the healthcare team, vaccinations are limited to one arm per vehicle door. Wear short sleeves.
Tarrant County Physician Online 